On Thursday, August 8, the Center for Solo Practitioners took a well-deserved break to reflect on a busy and rewarding year and to celebrate their non-profit partners. Taking advantage of the gorgeous summer weather and the relaxing atmosphere of the school’s 8th Floor South Terrace, the lawyers in the Center entertained friends, family, and clients and thanked Councilmember David
Alvarez and his staff for their partnership this year.

Representing Councilmember Alvarez at the event was Martha Zapata and Melina Meza. Ms. Zapata and Ms. Meza were instrumental in working with the Center for Solo Practitioners to design and implement the first Free Legal Clinics in District 8. The Clinics, made possible through a City Council Community Projects, Programs and Services grant, stationed lawyers from the Center at three locations in District 8 over three successive weekends in June. Through the Clinics, the Center’s lawyers provided over 80 hours of advice and counsel to more than 140 residents.

Lilys McCoy, the Director of the Center, was especially pleased to see Ms. Zapata and Ms. Meza at the August 8 event. “It was an honor to have representatives from Councilmember Alvarez’s office there to celebrate the successful launch of the Free Legal Clinics in District 8 this past June.” McCoy said. “Each of the lawyers in the Solo Center performed above and beyond in that program, and everyone was so glad to see our partners from that project and talk about what we might do next to realize our vision to increase access to justice in San Diego.”

The lawyers in the Center for Solo Practitioners are in their tenth month of the program. In addition to the District 8 Legal Clinics, the lawyers in the program have honed their skills and contributed to the community by volunteering at the Family Justice Center where theyrepresent victims of domestic violence in restraining order cases. This Fall, the new solos will begin work on a new project, funded by the San Diego County Bar Foundation, to provide needed assistance to Small Claims litigants in areas such as landlord/tenant questions, small claims court policies and procedures, consumer law, collections, wage and hour claims, and other subjects.